Folding egg-crate



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1;

N. RENNER. FOLDING EGG CRATE H No. 580,507. Patented Apr, 13, 1897.

(No ModeL) 2 Shets-Sheet 12.

N. RENNER. FOLDING EGG CRATE.

No. 580,507. Patented Aplu 13, 1897.

FFICE NIOKOLAUS RENNER, OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS.

I FOLDING EGG-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 580,507, dated April13, 1897. Application filed December 19, 1896. $erial No. 616,248. (Nomodel-J To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NICKOLAUS RENNER, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Elmhurst, in the county of Du Page and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldingEgg-Crates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to folding eggcrates, and the object is toprovide a safe and durable crate for transporting eggs from the producerto the consumer, said crate being so constructed that when empty it maybe folded to occupy much less space on its re turn shipment.

To this end the novelty consists in the con struction, combination, andarrangement of the same, as will be hereinafter more fully described,and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings the same reference-numerals indicate thesame parts of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding egg-crate. Fig. 2is a similar view showing the crate folded. Fig. 3 is a top plan viewwith the cover thrown back.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the same.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of the bolt securing the lower edge ofthe partition to the bottom of the crate, and Fig. 6 is a side elevationof the hook.

l 1 represent thesolid side pieces, and 2 2 the solid end pieces, thesides and end pieces being secured together at their vertical contiguousedges by the strap-hinges 3 3 to form a rectangular case, the hingespermitting it to be folded so that the parallel sides and ends lie fiatand approximately in the same plane.

5 5 represent semicircular straps, the integral ears 6 6 of which aresecured in the same vertical plane to the inner face of the side pieces1 1, and these straps receive a vertical bolt 7, which passes throughthe loops 8 on the horizontal straps 9, secured to the vertical ends ofthe partition 10, so as to substantially secure the partition in placemidway between the side pieces 1 1 to divide the case into two equalcompartments when the crate is in use.

12 represents the top, which is secured to the upper edge of one of thesides by straphinges 13 13, and its opposite parallel edge is providedwith pivoted hooks let 14, which engage the screw-eyes 15 15 to securethe top in place when the case is filled. These hooks are provided witha leaf-spring 16,whioh engages the outside of the eye 15 to prevent theaccidental displacement of the hook after it has been inserted in theeye.

17 represents the bottom, which is secured to the lower edge of one ofthe sides (oppo site the one to which the top is secured) by hinges 1818, and its opposite parallel edge is provided with hooks 14 14, whichengage the screw-eyes 15 15 to secure the bottom in place. The innerface of this bottom is provided with a transverse strap 19,.having aloop or eye 20 located in the same vertical plane with the partition 10,the lower horizontal edge of said partition being formed with asemicircular recess 21 to clear the loop 20 of the strap 19.

22 represents a vertical bolt journaled in the lower strap-hinge of thepartition and having a loop-handle 23, and its lower end terminating ina horizontal arm 24, which may be swung around by its handle to engagethe loop 20 on the bottom and assist in supporting the same when thecase is filled.

Although I have specifically described the construction and relativearrangement of the several elements of my invention, I do not desire tobe confined to the same, as such changes or modifications may be made asclearly fall within the scope of my invention without departing from thespirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new anduseful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s-

A folding egg-crate comprising the solid sides 1 1 and ends 2 2 hingedat vertical contiguous edges to form a rectangular case, the

hinged top and bottom provided with the pivoted hooks 14 1 1 providedwith the springtongues 16 and adapted to engage the eyes 15 on the sides1 1, in combination with the hinged partition provided with the verticalbolt 22 having an integral loop-han dle 23 and horizontal arm 24:, andthe strap 19 formed with a loop 20 adapted to receive the arm 24 of thebolt 22, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

N IOKOLAUS RENNER.

Witnesses:

L. L. BETTINGER, J. J. SHELEY.

